Temple boy
Encyclopedia
A temple boy is a boy in Thailand
who lives in a Buddhist monastery
and assists monks.
The temple boys carry the alms
bowls of the monks during the morning alms collection, and subsequently prepare the monks’ food before eating the left-overs themselves. They follow the ten precepts. Some are sent to become temple boys to acquire merit
; others, because they are given free room and board; and others to receive religious
and moral
instruction. Some temple boys go on to be ordained as monks themselves. Temple boys may undertake the formal step of samanera ordination as part of their role, depending on their age and local custom.
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
who lives in a Buddhist monastery
Wat
A wat is a monastery temple in Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos. The word "wat" means "school".- Introduction :...
and assists monks.
The temple boys carry the alms
Alms
Alms or almsgiving is a religious rite which, in general, involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue.It exists in a number of religions. In Philippine Regions, alms are given as charity to benefit the poor. In Buddhism, alms are given by lay people to monks and nuns to...
bowls of the monks during the morning alms collection, and subsequently prepare the monks’ food before eating the left-overs themselves. They follow the ten precepts. Some are sent to become temple boys to acquire merit
Merit (Buddhism)
Merit is a concept in Buddhism. It is that which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts or thoughts and that carries over to later in life or to a person's next life. Such merit contributes to a person's growth towards liberation. Merit can be gained in a number of ways...
; others, because they are given free room and board; and others to receive religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
and moral
Morality
Morality is the differentiation among intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good and bad . A moral code is a system of morality and a moral is any one practice or teaching within a moral code...
instruction. Some temple boys go on to be ordained as monks themselves. Temple boys may undertake the formal step of samanera ordination as part of their role, depending on their age and local custom.